Let's look at some different types of energy efficiencies
Different energy types produce varied amounts of maximum Megawatts (MW) at any given time. The higher the MW, the more energy to power things. Look at solar - a lot of land, for little energy only during sunlight, so we need to consider the impact on the environment.
Nuclear Energy
Power Plants
Lake Anna’s (Virginia USA) nuclear power plant produces 1,790 Megawatts (MW) of power with 2 generators.
Nuclear energy contributes a very small amount of emissions into the atmosphere.
Compare to Solar:
To produce the same amount of energy (MW) as Lake Anna's nuclear plant, you would need:
14,320 acres of land covered in solar panels.
Natural Gas
Power Plants
An average natural gas-based power plant is around 800 Megawatts (MW).
Natural gas's combustion are much lower than those from coal or oil. Natural gas emits 50-60% less carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted in a new, efficient natural gas power plant compared with emissions from a typical new coal plant.
Compare to Solar:
To produce the same amount of energy (MW) as the average-sized gas-based plant, you would need:
6,400 acres of land covered in solar panels.
Coal
Power Plants
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An average coal-based power plant is around 600 Megawatts (MW).
Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. Air pollution from coal-fired power plants is linked to global warming, and other impacts.
Compare to Solar:
To produce the same amount of energy (MW) as the average-sized coal-based plant, you would need:
4,800 acres of land covered in solar panels.
Solar
Power Plants
Solar energy systems/power plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases. Using solar energy can have a positive impact, but when destroying natural vegetation and in the wrong areas has huge negative impacts on the environment, people, society, destroying history forever and the land.
A proposed 1,800 acres industrial solar project in Culpeper, Virginia
(see below), is only 80 Megawatts (MW).